Las Vegas Sands (LVS: 19.50 +1.14%) began operations at its new casino in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Friday. Almost a thousand customers waited anxiously outside for the doors to open, and virtually all the 3000 slot machines were in play at the gambling facility by noon.

The grand opening won’t come until June 9th, but Sands officials are delighted with the opening weekend performance.

The casino cost over $743 million. Las Vegas Sands has high expectations that the gaming house will draw from New York and New Jersey.

The Sands Bethlehem Casino was constructed atop the remains of the Bethlehem Steel mill, and the building is designed to reflect the arera’s history. Several of the original buildings were preserved around the casino, and the interior has the appearance of a cutaway into a mill.

Work continues on the resort, restaurants, and retail space planned to surround the casino. While some of these projects have been delayed by the recession, Sands forged forward with the casino.

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